Fairlane Planning AreaEconomic Development Strategy and Vision Plan

Liana Bernt, Matthew Biskey, Jacob Hite, Andrew Netter, Chang Xu

Project GoalThe goal for this project is to create a vision and economic strategy for the future of the Fairlane Planning Area as a way to guide changes in development and land use. The focus will be on connecting the variety of land uses within the Planning Area with each other and surrounding downtown developments, while also identifying areas for future growth.

Study AreaThe Fairlane Planning Area is a unique planning district within the City of Dearborn, Michigan. Located between the banks of the Rouge River to the west, US-12 to the south, M-153 to the north, and M-39 to the west, the Planning Area bridges the divide between the East and West downtown districts of Dearborn. The Planning Area plays host to several major stakeholders including AAA Michigan, the Ford Motor Land Development, Henry Ford College, and the University of Michigan-Dearborn. It is also home to the Fairlane Town Center shopping mall, the centerpiece fixture of the Planning Area that provides over 1.3 million square feet of leasable retail space and is the largest retail location in Dearborn.

-50%

0%

50%

100%

150%

200%

1990 2000 2010 2015

Percentage Change in Population1990-2015

Fairlane Planning Area Wayne County

Michigan

38.2

34

35.535.836.5

38.1

36.2

38.4

39.4

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

FairlanePlanning Area

WayneCounty

Michigan

Age

Median Age2000-2015

2000 2010 2015

Socioeconomic Profile

24%

11%65%

Fairlane Planning Area Housing Units Per Structure

1 Unit 2 to 4 5 or more

Housing Analysis

75%

14%

11%

Fairlane Planning Area Housing Profile

Renter Occupied Owner Occupied Vacant

$507,332

$152,703

$4,526,099

$1,276,308

$144,358

$34,577

$72,972

$25,154,180

$7,673,141

$205,286,290

$58,827,168

$6,665,810

$1,570,023

$3,677,062

$68,023,997

$21,000,173

$554,284,803

$158,942,736

$17,728,078

$4,224,713

$9,782,885

Other Motor VehicleDealers

Lawn & Garden Equip& Supply Stores

Grocery Stores

Other GeneralMerchandise Stores

Used MerchandiseStores

Vending MachineOperators

Special Food Services

Demand (Retail Potential)

5 Mile 3 Mile 1 Mile

$507,332

$152,703

$4,085,662

$1,276,308

$144,358

$34,577

$72,972

$25,154,180

$5,687,313

$18,764,470

$35,257,272

$3,605,755

$1,448,597

$1,038,268

$37,067,075

$14,370,234

$98,941,839

$88,487,746

$5,938,528

$4,040,146

$3,344,919

Other Motor VehicleDealers

Lawn & Garden Equip& Supply Stores

Grocery Stores

Other GeneralMerchandise Stores

Used MerchandiseStores

Vending MachineOperators

Special Food Services

Retail Gap (Leakage)

5 Mile 3 Mile 1 Mile

Retail Gap Analysis

Fairlane Planning Area Major Destinations

Transit AnalysisSMART Bus Routes DDOT Bus Routes

Non-Motorized Transportation Connectivity Analysis

Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat Analysis

Strength· Diversity of land uses

Location between the town downtowns

Located on major roadways (Michigan Avenue and Ford Road)

Located near exits and entrance ramps to M-39 (Southfield Freeway)

Located close to the new John Dingell Transit Center (Amtrak and Smart bus access)

Access to public transportation within the planning area

Diverse housing stock

Diverse demographics

Weakness

· Existing zoning designations

· Parking requirements

· Existing parking facilities (amount)

· Separation of land uses

· Vacant space

· Auto centricity

· Lack of pedestrian and bicyclist infrastructure

·

·

·

·

·

·

·

Opportunity

· Future land use goals

· Ford Land Development master plan

· Growing student population

· Dearborn Master Plan

· Rouge Gateway Trail

· Transit Oriented Development

Threat

· Unknown future of the mall

· Vacant residential, retail, and hotel spaces

· Temporary student population

· Isolation from the two downtowns

RecommendationsGoal 1: Create a cohesive identity for the Fairlane Planning Area.

Objective 1.1: Improve and create public spaces that enhance the sense of community and placeObjective 1.2: Create a brand for the Fairlane Planning Area that identifies it as a unique neighborhood within the City of Dearborn.Objective 1.3: Create a Fairlane Planning Area community built around the needs and interests of the local population.

Goal 2: Increase non-motorized transportation connections within the FairlanePlanning Area.

Objective 2.1: Implement bicycle path and sidewalk improvements.Objective 2.2: Provide amenities that complement walking and bicycle use.

Goal 3: Enhance opportunities for multi-modal transit in the Fairlane Planning Area.Objective 3.1: Create an environment that is conducive to multi-modal transit and development.Objective 3.2: Attract more transit options to the area.Objective 3.3: Improve existing transit facilities.

Goal 4: Foster cohesive future land uses and development.Objective 4.1. Update the zoning code to coincide with the future land use goals from the Master Plan.Objective 4.2: Continuing retail development and potential expansion within the Fairlane Area to attract people into the area.Objective 4.3: Encourage the future development of a wide range of housing options within the Fairlane Planning Area.Objective 4.4: Development of a form-based code.